FUTURE funding for film in Scotland will be made through Creative Scotland, despite calls for government money to go directly to the sector.
Last week Gillian Berrie, the leading producer, said that the government should directly fund film in the same way it funds Scotland's national performing arts companies such as Scottish Opera and the National Theatre of Scotland.
Ms Berrie called for a new screen agency to be established, taking on many of the roles previously held by Scottish Screen, which was merged with the Scottish Arts Council to form Creative Scotland.
Janet Archer, the chief executive of Creative Scotland, has made it clear there are no new funds available for film in Scotland but she is pursuing funding from European sources. Film makers in Scotland wish to see a major studio built and increased money for productions.
In September a letter to Creative Scotland from more than 60 producers compared the £3 million available from Creative Scotland to the £52m screen investments in Denmark, £36m in Sweden and £13m in Northern Ireland.
It asked for the establishment of a clear film department in Creative Scotland, funding increases to at least £5m annually for development and £10m for productions, and the removal of a £300,000 cap on spending on individual films.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: "In the face of deep cuts in public spending imposed by the UK Government, the recent budget has already been prioritised to minimise impact on the cultural and heritage sector, including screen production, as far as possible.
"The Cabinet Secretary met with Independent Producers Scotland in June and underlined our commitment, through Creative Scotland, to support the industry."
Fiona Hyslop, culture secretary, has established a working group involving Creative Scotland, Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Development International to "explore opportunities to further develop film and television production facilities in Scotland".
A report on the feasibility of a major film studio from Scottish Enterprise is due early next year.
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